Enhancement of the degradation ability for organic pollutants via the synergistic effect of photoelectrocatalysis on a self-assembled perylene diimide (SA-PDI) thin film

Self-Assembled Perylene Diimide (PDI) Nanowire Sensitized In2O3@MgIn2S4 S-Scheme Heterojunction as Photoelectrochemical Biosensing Platform for the Detection of CA15-3

Inorganic/organic heterojunctions show promising applications as high-performance sensing platforms for photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunosensors. This work reports constructing a PEC biosensor for CA15-3 based on a self-assembled perylene diimide (PDI) nanowire sensitized In2O3@MgIn2S4 S-scheme heterojunction platform. P-type semiconductor Cu2O nanoparticles were designed as a signal burst source and were used as immunoassay labels. The carboxyl group on self-assembled PDI nanowires eliminates the step of additional surface functionalization for covalent immobilization of the capture elements. The π-π stacking of PDI enhances electron generation efficiency, while the carboxylic acid groups on PDI promote electron transfer. The performance of the constructed sensor was validated using CA15-3 as a model. The experimental results showed that the sensor based on In2O3@MgIn2S4/PDI has excellent selectivity, stability, and reproducibility, and can sensitively detect CA15-3 in the range of 0.001-100 U·mL-1 with the detection limit of 0.00056 U·mL-1. The sensor has a broad application prospect. It is hoped that this research work based on the unique advantages of the organic compound PDI will inspire other researchers to design light-responsive materials and promote the development of the field of photoelectrochemical sensing.

Perylene diimide/iron phthalocyanine Z-scheme heterojunction with strong interfacial charge transfer through π-π interaction: Efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride

The development of an all-organic Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst with the matched band structure, efficient electron transfer and excellent photocatalytic performance is valuable for a sustainable future. A novel perylene diimide/phthalocyanine iron (PDI/FePc) heterojunctions with strong π-π interaction were synthesized by a self-assembled method, which exhibited strong visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation activities of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). The TC removal rate over PDI/FePc was achieved three times and 87.5 times higher than that of PDI and FePc. PDI/FePc (131.1 mv·dec^-1) presented a lower Taffel slope than that of PDI (228.6 mv·dec^-1) for the oxidation. This may be due to the strong π-π interactions between PDI and FePc, which can reduce the layer spacing of the supramolecular structure and facilitate the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers in the built-in electric field. In addition, radical quenching tests revealed that superoxide radicals (•O₂^-) acted as a dominant role in photocatalytic oxidation. An increscent specific surface area of PDI decorated by FePc also gave the rapid pathway for charge transfer and enhanced the adsorption ability. This provides a new idea for the formation of heterojunction to improve the photocatalytic activity of organic supramolecular materials.

Achieving High-Efficient Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of 4-Chlorophenol via Functional Reformation of Titanium-Oxo Clusters

Rational design of crystalline catalysts with superior light absorption and charge transfer for efficient photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) reaction coupled with energy recovery remains a great challenge. In this work, we elaborately construct three stable titanium-oxo clusters (TOCs, Ti₁₀Ac₆, Ti₁₀Fc₈, and Ti₁₂Fc₂Ac₄) modified with a monofunctionalized ligand (9-anthracenecarboxylic acid (Ac) or ferrocenecarboxylic acid (Fc)) and bifunctionalized ligands (Ac and Fc). They have tunable light-harvesting and charge transfer capacities and thus can serve as outstanding crystalline catalysts to achieve efficient PEC overall reaction, that is, the integration of anodic organic pollutant 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) degradation and cathodic wastewater-to-H₂ conversion. These TOCs can all exhibit very high PEC activity and degradation efficiency of 4-CP. Especially, Ti₁₂Fc₂Ac₄ decorated with bifunctionalized ligands exhibits better PEC degradation efficiency (over 99%) and H₂ generation than Ti₁₀Ac₆ and Ti₁₀Fc₈ modified with a monofunctionalized ligand. The study of the 4-CP degradation pathway and mechanism revealed that such better PEC performance of Ti₁₂Fc₂Ac₄ is probably due to its stronger interactions with the 4-CP molecule and better ^•OH radical production. This work not only presents the effective combination of organic pollutant degradation and simultaneously H₂ evolution reaction using crystalline coordination clusters as both anodic and cathodic catalyst but also develops a new PEC application for crystalline coordination compounds.

CORE TRAINING IMPACTS RUNNING ATHLETES’ PHYSICAL CAPACITY

ABSTRACT Introduction: Core strength training focuses mainly on the muscle group and neuromuscular system of the central area of the human body to gain strength and stability for complex movements. Studies have reported the effect of core training on high-capacity athletes, but there is still a gap regarding the impacts on physical capacity in running athletes. Objective: To study the effects of strength training on athletes’ core and the direct impacts on running quality. Methods: Athletes of the men’s running team at the athletic training center of the Institute of Physical Education were core strength trained for 10 to 12 weeks. After the period, physical tests, according to predetermined protocols. The data were compared before, after the intervention, and after statistical treatment, and the findings were discussed according to the scientific literature. Results: After 12 weeks of training, among the five sports skills, there was only a significant difference before and after training of body lateral flexion (right side) (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference before and after training of the other four sport skills (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Through the static and dynamic exercises of core strength training, we can effectively improve the proprioception intervention in body movement so that runners can more accurately control their joints and muscles, ensuring movement and postural accuracy. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Activating C-H Bonds by Tuning Fe Sites and an Interfacial Effect for Enhanced Methanol Oxidation

The interaction mechanism between the reacting species and the active site of α-Fe₂ O₃ -based photoanodes in photoelectrochemical methanol conversion reaction is still ambiguous. Herein, a simple two-step strategy is demonstrated to fabricate a porous α-Fe₂ O₃ /CoFe₂ O₄ heterojunction for the methanol conversion reaction. The influence of the electronic structure of active site and interfacial effect on the reaction are investigated by constructing two different FeO₆ octahedral configurations and heterogeneous structures. The optimal sample ZnFeCo-2 affords high photocurrent density of 1.17 mA cm^-2 at 0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl, which is 3.2 times than that of ZnFe (0.37 mA cm^-2 ). Meanwhile, the ZnFeCo-2 also exhibits 97.8% Faraday efficiency of CH₃ OH to HCHO, and long-term stability over 40 h. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations reveal that the heterostructured α-Fe₂ O₃ /CoFe₂ O₄ with favorable electron transfer effectively lowers methanol adsorption, C-H bond activation, and HCHO desorption energy relative to the pristine α-Fe₂ O₃ , resulting in excellent methanol conversion efficiency.

Recent development on core-shell photo(electro)catalysts for elimination of organic compounds from pharmaceutical wastewater

Pharmaceutical organics are a vital milestone in contemporary human research since they treat various diseases and improve the quality of human life. However, these organic compounds are considered one of the major environmental hazards after the conception, along with the massive rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in an ecosystem. There are various biological and catalytic technologies existed to eliminate these organics in aqueous system with their limitation. Advanced Oxidation processes (AOPs) are used to decompose these pharmaceutical organic compounds in the wastewater by generating reactive species with high oxidation potential. This review focused various photocatalysts, and photocatalytic oxidation processes, especially core-shell materials for photo (electro)catalytic application in pharmaceutical wastewater decomposition. Moreover, we discussed in details about the design and recent developments of core shell catalysts and comparison for photocatalytic, electrocatalytic and photo electrocatalytic applications in pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. In addition, the mixture of inorganic and organic core-shell materials, and metal-organic framework-based core-shell catalysts discussed in detail for antibiotic degradation.

Fluorescein-bridged Perylene Bisimide Dimer for Use as Liquid Crystal: Studies on Mesomorphic and Fluorescence Properties

A novel fluorescein-bridged perylene bisimide (PBI) dimer for liquid crystal (LC) with geometrically symmetric structure was developed. The mesomorphic results indicated that the energetically stable and unstable conformers of fluorescein fragments could lead to the transformation of mesophases from a hexagonal columnar mesophase to an uncertain phase at 136.9 °C in heating, whilst a stable hexagonal columnar mesophase maintained between 175.6 °C and 58.6 °C in cooling. The selectively excited fluorescence characters in THF solution demonstrated that the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) effect between fluorescein fragments and PBI unites could provide a means to effectively impose strong fluorescence of the dimeric PBIs modified with suitable chromophore at the N-imide position, which alternatively serves as a platform for the further study of multi-functional PBI-based LCs.

Review on application of perylene diimide (PDI)-based materials in environment: Pollutant detection and degradation

Environment pollution is getting serious and various poisonous contaminants with chemical durability, biotoxicity and bioaccumulation have been widespreadly discovered in municipal wastewaters and surface water. The detection and removal of pollutants show great significance for the protection of human health and other organisms. Due to its distinctive physical and chemical properties, perylene diimide (PDI) has received widespread attention from different research fields, especially in the area of environment. In this review, a comprehensive summary of the development of PDI-based materials in fluorescence detection and advanced oxidation technology for environment was introduced. Firstly, we chiefly presented the recent progress about the synthesis of PDI and PDI-based nanomaterials. Then, their application in fluorescence detection for environment was presented and categorized, principally including the detection of heavy metal ions, harmful anions and organic contaminants in the environment. In addition, the application of PDI and PDI-based materials in different advanced oxidation technologies for environment, such as photocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, Fenton and Fenton-like reaction and persulfate activation, was also summarized. At last, the challenges and future prospects of PDI-based materials in environmental applications were discussed. This review focuses on presenting the practical applications of PDI and PDI-based materials as fluorescent probes or catalysts (especially photocatalysts) in the detection of hazardous substances or catalytic elimination of organic contaminants. The contents are aimed at supplying the researchers with a deeper understanding of PDI and PDI-based materials and encouraging their further development in environmental applications.

Emerging pollutants-Part II: Treatment

Emerging pollutants (EPs) refer to a class of pollutants, which are emerging in the environment or recently attracted attention. EPs mainly include pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). EPs have potential threats to human health and ecological environment. In recent years, the continuous detections of EPs in surface and ground water have brought huge challenges to water treatment and also made the treatment of EPs become an international research hotspot. This paper summarizes some research results on EPs treatment published in 2019. This paper may be helpful to understand the current situations and development trends of EP treatment technologies.

Fast Crystallization-Deposition of Orderly Molecule Level Heterojunction Thin Films Showing Tunable Up-Conversion and Ultrahigh Photoelectric Response

Molecular cocrystals have received much attention for tuning physicochemical properties in pharmaceutics, luminescence, organic electronics, and so on. However, the effective methods for the formation of orderly cocrystal thin films are still rather limited, which have largely restricted their photofunctional and optoelectronic applications. In this work, a fast crystallization-deposition procedure is put forward to obtain acridine (AD)-based cocrystals, which are self-assembled with three typical isophthalic acid derivatives (IPA, IPB, and TMA). The obtained donor-acceptor cocrystal complexes exhibit an adjustable energy level, wide range of photoluminescence color, and rotational angle-dependent polarized emission. The orderly and uniform cocrystal thin films further present tunable one-/two-photon up-conversion and different semiconductor properties. Particularly, AD-TMA cocrystal thin film shows a rare example of a molecule level heterojunction with the alternating arrangement of AD electronic acceptor layers and TMA electronic donor layers, and thus, provides a way for efficient mobility and separation of electron-hole pairs. A large on-off photocurrent ratio of more than 104 can be achieved for the AD-TMA thin film, which is higher than state-of-the-art molecular semiconductor systems. Therefore, this work extends the application scopes of orderly cocrystal thin film materials for future luminescent and optoelectronic micro-/nanodevices.